The Lindbergh Foundation has awarded eight Lindbergh grants to individuals around the world who are conducting research projects dedicated to finding innovative solutions to global environmental challenges.

The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation honors the Lindberghs’ contributions in aviation, exploration, conservation, sciences, and the humanities, and focuses on a balance between technological advancements and the preservation of the environment. In aviation and aerospace, the foundation awarded a grant to Paul Slusser of Salt Lake City, Utah, who will record the behavior of right whales using radio-controlled hyperblimp airships.

In the area of conservation, a grant will be given to Maminirina Randrianandrasana from the University of Illinois to investigate silkworm production to conserve rural communities and forests in Madagascar.

Stephanie Mixson from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, N.C., will research “Conserving Energy and Freshwater by Harnessing Novel Saltwater Algae as a Biofuel Source.”

Thomas Shapland from the University of California at Davis will conduct research for “Conserving Global Water Resources by Developing Inexpensive Technology to Measure Crop Water Demand.”

Dr. Kristen Jellison from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., will explore how to “Optimize the Biosand Filter for Treating Household Drinking Water in Developing Countries.”

Dr. Lekelia “Kiki” Jenkins of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Silver Spring, Md., hopes to “Identify Best Practices for Promoting Cross-Cultural Adoption of Marine Conservation Technologies.”

Dr. Ulrike Kappler from The University of Queensland in Australia will explore ways to “Remediate Australian Urban Sulfur Pollution Using Extremophilic Bacteria from Soda Lakes.”

Alton K. Marsh

Freelance journalist

Alton K. Marsh is a former senior editor of AOPA Pilot and is now a freelance journalist specializing in aviation topics.